KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has taken steps this week to affirm the status of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang di-Pertuan Besar, in a development that may finally see an end to the state’s seven-month-long constitutional crisis.
The state government is currently in virtual paralysis, with Ismail the sole member of the executive, as his executive council members were earlier dismissed by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar for breaching their oath of office and loyalty.
Ismail urgently needs to convene a state assembly meeting to approve the state Budget, or face the possibility of an unprecedented halt to government and administrative services if funding is not approved by the legislature.
But he needs the consent of Tuanku Muhriz for the state assembly to meet.
A source told Malay Mail that Ismail met earlier this week with Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, and presented him with a letter withdrawing objections to Tuanku Muhriz’s position as state ruler.
It is understood the move is also supported by the ten former members of the state exco who were sacked by Tuanku Muhriz.
Syed Danial is expected to inform the Conference of Rulers of Ismail’s decision.
Sources said Ismail is now expected to seek an audience with the state ruler to express his loyalty and seek consent for the sitting of the state assembly.
Ismail had allegedly written a letter to the Conference of Rulers in September declaring Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the “new” Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
This followed an earlier attempt to install Tunku Nadzaruddin as the state’s new ruler, which has not been recognised by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s federal government.
Amid the crisis in Negeri Sembilan, the Conference of Rulers met last month without Tuanku Muhriz.
In a statement after the meeting, the Malay Rulers warned against outside interference and attempts to politicise the crisis in Negeri Sembilan.
The Rulers said that contradictory and irresponsible statements will only exacerbate the situation, heighten tensions, confuse the public and tarnish the dignity of the royal institution.
Ismail was sworn in by Tuanku Muhriz as Menteri Besar on August 2, following a state election that saw Barisan Nasional win 18 seats, Pakatan Harapan 11, and Perikatan Nasional seven.
The assembly sitting was originally scheduled for October 16, but was subsequently moved to November 26 to coincide with the planned tabling of the state’s Budget the next day.
But the dates remain subject to consent from Tuanku Muhriz.
The relationship between Tuanku Muhriz and Ismail hit a low point last month when the state ruler publicly reprimanded the latter.
